Tips for bagging yourself a graduate job

Are you one of the grads in an unskilled job below your qualifications? Master this one key skill to secure the best jobs…

Official figures released this week show that more than a third of graduates are employed in low skilled jobs, with waitressing and working as a retail assistant being the most frequent roles taken. The Office for National Statatics (ONS) reveals there has been a 9% increase of grads settling for lower-skilled occupations over six years - a stat that merely adds more doom and gloom to the future of recent graduates.

But the good news - and yes, there are some positive stats, is although these reports can seem depressing, grads are still better off than job candidates without degrees. As the figures currently stand, graduates are 14% more likely to secure a job - and earn £6.26 per hour more than non-grads. We told you it's not all bad…

So what separates the grads who are travelling up the career ladder, from those who are stuck in dead-end jobs? The answer is effective marketing. Cosmo headed down to London's first Women: Inspiration and Enterprise (WIE) Symposium session to find out how successful businesswomen made it to the top of their fields - and are staying put. Check out the highlights from the day, with tips taken from entrepreneurs and business savvy women: Julie Woods Moss, Shaa Wasmund, Dena Brumpton and Martha Brass - take notes!

1. Don't over plan your career Yes, we know - easier said than done, right? But the panelists reckon you are at your best when you're able to 'loosely plan' your career, adapting well to unexpected changes throughout the way. An example: you may be a budding journalist, but trying your hands out other related fields may be beneficial. this could be video filming, subbing or even PR - it's all about having a broad outlook on where your career can take you, instead of limiting yourself to one thing. Go on girl - take a chance!

2. Forget networking - build meaningful relationships with industry leaders instead Instead of frantically trying to network, dishing business cards out to every professional in sight, the key is to build meaningful relationships. Pick a few key contacts and really invest in communicating with them. Remember, a relationship is a two way street - so instead of asking them for job opportunities every time you speak with them, be genuine and ask how they are, too! It's likely they'll remember you even more when they spot a job opening that would be perfect for you.

3. Sharing is caring - so share your contacts with others The saying goes 'your network is your net worth', so imagine if we all put our networks together - surely that would make for an impressive contact book, no? The speakers at WIE say you shouldn't try to keep all the contacts you make to yourself. If you know of someone fabulous in the field who could help a friend, go ahead and recommend them. Just remember to get their permission first!

4. Have a specialism While it's great to have lots of expertise and skill sets, make a real impression by brushing up on one area in your field - and be that 'go-to' person. A great example of this is getting to know a computer software programme which is used frequently in your field of work, and practising until you know it inside out. You can impress more just by having extensive knowledge on one area, that other candidates may lack. Career coach Alistair Miller adds his top tip: "Do market research and find out what the needs are of target companies. Then provide evidence you can deal with those needs/probs." So instead of trying to be good at everything, be absolutely brilliant at a few - don't spread yourself to thinly.

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5. Be truthful - and set your own terms The expert ladies on the WIE panel all admitted to one downfall - being afraid of being brutally honest about the aspects of a job that doesn't work for them. Instead of going into an interview desperately trying to answer questions with what you think the employer wants to hear, just be yourself. Identify your strengths, be confident when speaking about them, and don't be afraid to set your own terms. Be flexible with your employer and they will respect you all the more for it - just make sure you deliver every promise!

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